A: Moulana Wakeel Abdullah Jaan Sahib had asked Hadhrat Saharanpuri Rahmatullahi Alayhi, “What is bay`at and what is its purpose?”

Hadhrat Saharanpuri replied, “The mureed repents and he makes the muraad (shaikh) a witness to it.” Moulana used to say that that was the first time he heard the word muraad being used in the meaning of shaikh. However, it created a doubt as to what was the need for the shaikh to be a witness to the taubah of the mureed whereas Allah Ta`ala is well aware of the conditions of one’s heart. (Allah is well aware of the deceiving eye and the things that the heart conceals.)[19:40] The answer immediately came to mind that in the aakhirat (hereafter) every person’s limbs will bear testimony to his actions. Thus, why is there a need for this objection?

Moulana Wakeel Sahib was a well-researched and extensively read personality and he had come to Hadhrat Saharanpuri with the intention of discussing his doubts and queries. However in this short discussion all his doubts were dispelled.

Thereafter, he requested Hadhrat Saharanpuri to allow him to take bay`at at his hands. Hadhrat asked him, “What is the need for you to take bay`at?” He replied, “I have never done anything regarding it to be necessary. My lifestyle is that of the English but that is not necessary. Similarly, I eat English styled food and that too is not necessary. In the like manner, I have married an English woman and that also is not necessary. Likewise is the condition of my taking bay`at at your hands.

Hadhrat had then accepted him for bay`at and prescribed for him the zikr of the ism-e-zaat as much as possible.

He would experience unique conditions and Allah Ta`ala had blessed him abundantly.